2011 Teen Excellence - Peter Blicharz

Tuesday

May 31, 2011 at 12:01 AMMay 31, 2011 at 6:00 AM

When he was 9 years old, Peter Blicharz moved from his native Poland to the United States and met the challenge of living and learning in a foreign land — one where he did not speak the language — head-on.

Now a senior at the Burlington County Institute of Technology-Medford campus, the Delran resident has been involved in numerous clubs, including the Future Business Leaders of America and Peer Mediation, as well as activities both inside and outside of school.

?According to the 17-year-old, his most valuable high school experience has been participating in American Legion Jersey Boys State, a weeklong training program in which boys learn about state politics and run for office positions. There, he was elected director of finance for his “city” and assemblyman of the Nationalist Party for his “county.”

Peter is the BCIT-Medford president of the National Honor Society and the Health Occupations Students of America. He also is president of the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program, which teaches students the value of leadership and service, and plays varsity soccer.

Peter’s career major at BCIT is sports medicine, and he recently used his training to evaluate shoulders and fit crutches, while also developing an exercise program for young students. Using that background, he works as a physical therapy aide.

He also is a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters and of the school’s Vo-Tag (Vocationally Talented and Gifted) Program, and he is the class of 2011’s valedictorian.

“Every single day, I think of where I’ve been and where I have arrived, but I never see a dead end because I know my journey isn’t done yet,” Peter said.

Age: 17

School: Burlington County Institute of Technology-Medford campus

Parent: Joanna Blicharz

Hobbies: Working out; swimming

Favorite downloads: The Cars; “Fast Five”; Lil’ Wayne

Favorite food: His mother’s Polish cooking

Favorite sport: Soccer

Last book read: “The Big Short”

Websites visited most often: Facebook; cnn.com; YouTube

People most admired: His mother and cyclist Lance Armstrong

Plans for next year: Attend Temple University in Philadelphia and double-major in international business and finance

Career goal: Make $1 million; own a Bugatti for every day of the week; help people in need

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